The legislature convened on Monday in a special legislative session to affirm Governor Kevin Stitt’s health emergency declaration, which gives him additional power to act on the COVID-19 crisis and coordinate response efforts with our county and state health departments. I have full faith that in this time of need, the legislature and Governor Stitt are leading Oklahomans in the right direction.

We also passed three pieces of legislation to help fill the $416 million budget shortfall the 2020 state budget is now facing. The Senate is committed to fully funding our core services for the 2020 fiscal year, which is why we took swift action to move money from our state’s savings account to balance the 2020 budget.

I’m thankful the legislature had the foresight to save extra funds last year to bolster our state’s savings account to the highest balance in Oklahoma’s history. This money is stabilizing the 2020 budget, and there will still be money left in savings to help balance the 2021 budget as well.

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the state and nation, the State Department of Health has taken extraordinary steps to expand testing access for all Oklahomans. Several counties in District 26 have hosted mobile testing over the past weeks. For more information on mobile testing and the test sites available, please visit coronavirus. health.ok.gov. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 including a fever, cough or shortness of breath, you should be tested for the virus.

The people of Oklahoma have pulled together to support those impacted by the virus. Schools are still feeding our children, churches have implemented meals on wheels programs to bring food to those who cannot leave their homes, and numerous volunteer groups have sprung into action to ensure no one is left behind. I am proud of our citizens for their kindness and generosity.

Finally, I’d like to remind you to fill out the 2020 census, if you haven’t done so already. You should’ve received a letter in the mail with a code to fill out the census online. If you didn’t receive this, or if you’ve since lost it, you can still respond over the internet by visiting 2020census.gov. You can also complete the questionnaire via phone at 844-330-2020.

Please remember that we are all in this together. I know we will make it through this struggle and emerge stronger than before. In the meantime, if there is anything I can do to help you, please reach out. You can contact me by email at Darcy.Jech@ oksenate.gov or by phone at 405-521-5545.